REPORT OF NAVAL BATTLE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21785, 15 October 1940, Page 5

REPORT OF NAVAL BATTLE

Italians Claim Sinking Of Cruiser i R.A.F. Attacks Bases United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 14, 6.30 p.m.) ROME, Octber 13. An Italian communique states: “Italian destroyers attacked British naval forces oil Malta on Friday night, sank an enemy cruiser, probably of the Neptune class, and damaged other British units, which made off. The Italian losses were two torpedo boats and a destroyer. A great part of the Italian crews was saved. “In the early hours of the following morning Italian air formations intensely bombarded enemy units, achieving notable results in spite of violent anti-aircraft fire from a British aircraft-carrier. The latter was hit astern, and a British heavy cruiser was damaged. Two British fighters and one Italian were shot down. "In North Africa light Italian columns, having advanced 23 miles east of Sidi Barranl, clashed with small British armoured cars and tank units, and repulsed them. British air raids on Bardia and the ports of Derna and Tobruk caused slight damage. In East Africa Italian patrols repulsed enemy motorised units making for the Eritrean frontier.” A London message states that, according to agency messages, Italian aircraft attempted unsuccessfully to raid Malta to-day. Royal Air Force fighters went up to drive them off, but the Italians did not want to be engaged. They seemed to have found their reception altogether too hot, because the reports speak of the interception of a wireless message from one Italian pilot to his base in which he described conditions as “Hell.” Military Objectives Hit An official communique issued in Cairo on Sunday states: “Royal Air Force aircraft raided military objectives at Bardia yesterday. At least half a dozen hits were registered, the barracks being successful attacked. Enemy aircraft concentrated at Eladen were bombed and considerable damage was caused. At Derna, as the result of a raid, a big fire was started on the waterfront, a large building being hit by heavy bombs. In raids on Tobruk very large fires were started and explosions occurred. Shipping in the harbour was attacked and direct hits were registered on the naval barracks. In Eritrea, Asmara was again bombed, two hangars being hit as well as the runway. In two raids on Gura several fires were started accompanied by loud explosions. South African Air Force squadrons made further extensive reconnaisance flights. From all these operations our aircraft returned safely.”